PHYTOSOMES AS NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Shivam Gupta, Reena Shende, Satkar Prasad, Prashant Maithil
ABSTRACT
Herbal medicines have been used for centuries due to their therapeutic efficacy, safety, and natural origin. However, the clinical use of many herbal bioactive compounds is limited by poor bioavailability, low solubility, instability, and poor permeability across biological membranes. Phytosomes, a novel drug delivery system, were developed to overcome these challenges by forming a phytoconstituent–phospholipid complex that significantly enhances membrane permeability and systemic absorption. This review elaborates on herbal medicines, phytochemicals, the phytosome concept, preparation methods, physicochemical properties, advantages, disadvantages, characterization techniques, therapeutic applications, and emerging research. The enhanced bioavailability, stability, and pharmacological activity of phytosomes make them an attractive and innovative approach for delivering plant-based actives in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.
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